Ohanaeze condemns Obasanjo’s call for INEC chairman’s removal

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a prominent Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has opposed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent call for the removal of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Obasanjo made the statement during his speech at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University in the US.

In a press release on Monday, Ohanaeze described Obasanjo’s call as “ill-advised” and “politically motivated,” lacking merit and ethical grounding.

The organisation pointed out Obasanjo’s own troubled legacy in overseeing Nigeria’s electoral processes, particularly during the 2003 and 2007 elections, which were widely condemned as the worst in the country’s history.

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Ohanaeze emphasised that it is premature and ill-timed to call for Yakubu’s removal, especially since his tenure is set to end in 2025.

Instead, the organisation advocates for stability and completion of ongoing reforms, suggesting that discussions about INEC’s future leadership and structure should commence after Yakubu’s term expires.

The organisation commended INEC’s advancements under Yakubu’s leadership, including the implementation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing portal (IREV) during off-cycle elections, saying the developments have restored public confidence in the electoral process.

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to promoting continuous electoral reforms in Nigeria.

He urged patriotic leaders and citizens to demand reforms that transcend partisan politics and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

“It is fundamentally premature and ill-timed for anyone to call for the sack of Professor Mahmood Yakubu while he is still in office, especially in light of the fact that his tenure is set to conclude in 2025.

“We advocate for a period of stability and completion of ongoing reforms, suggesting that discussions around the future leadership and structure of INEC should commence only after Yakubu’s term has expired,” he said.